Loy Chuan Photography Bloghttp://www.loychuan-photography.com
A Photography Journey of Documentary, Photo-Essays and Street JournalismTue, 15 Apr 2014 14:46:44 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.10STREET PORTRAIT THROUGH A FRAMEhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/S4Zl4tQ7n80/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/07/street-portrait-through-a-frame/#commentsTue, 03 Jul 2012 15:20:56 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1524Street journalism or documentary photography has been shaping the way I shoot for the past few years. It is a genre that has opened my eyes to the world. To me, it is all about people. Without people in the frame, I feel there is no soul in the photograph. In almost every scene, it depicts their environments, social causes, life styles, emotions of the society and much more. One of the key elements is often a close-up capture (or portrait) of the subject. However, it is considered by many as staging, and not a true form of street photography (I have mixed thoughts about that). I have personally shot countless of portraits during my travels and projects. Some of the portraits really show great character that provoke thoughts and tell a story (and I keep a lot of these shots in my library). Steve McCurry has shot enormous amount of portraitures – Many of them are remarkable and exceptionally well done (His book “Looking East“, contained all his portraiture shots on the road).

However, I tend not to associate a true portraiture shot (as in a real close-up portrait of the subject with only the facial occupying the entire frame) to my street journalism works. I admit I am not a big fan of shooting portraits (I hate sticking my camera and lens right in the face of the subject, and you know I’m definitely not into getting subjects to pose). I have no doubt that portraits often bring out character and emotion of the person. But I believed that in documentary or street journalism, we have to show more than just that. And above all, it has to be natural and spontaneous. I tend to include a gist of the environment in my photograph to give viewers a clue to the surrounding, which often tells another side of the story. I like to illustrate how the subject is being connected to the environment or a secondary subject (if any). It has to be truly an unposed, untainted natural moment captured in time.

“The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson, Photography Year 1980, LIFE Library of Photography , Page: 27

In this post, I had put together a series of street portraiture taken across various Asian countries I had visited over the past years. None of them are head-on portraits and none of them are staged. Almost all the subjects knew I was shooting them. I approached the subject close enough to interact and ‘blend’ in with them (I don’t like using long zoom lens to shoot from a distance). During my attempt to shoot these street portraits, I looked for elements that help to frame my subject and at the same time, using them to illustrate the environment that the subject is residing. To me, it has a better photojournalist reportage sense, and tells a story better.

Varanasi Train Station, India

Yangon Wharf, Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon Wharf, Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon Wharf, Myanmar

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

Yangon Wharf, Myanmar

Varanasi Train Station, India

Swayambhunath Stupa, Nepal

Kopan Monastery, Nepal

Yangon Wharf, Myanmar

Varanasi Train Station, India

In Dein, Myanmar

Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

If you love portrait shots, you may also want to check out one of my earlier post (“Faces and Portraits from an Outskirt Village“) containing a write-up with numerous portrait shots from Bungmati and Khokana Village in Nepal.

Through my years of shooting, I have known some friends of mine who used to be very staunch Canon or Nikon supporter. They used nothing else other than their beloved Canon or Nikon set-up. It has almost become like a cult to them. Recently I met up with one particular friend who is a extremely dedicated and faithful Canon supporter. He started out using a full Canon DSLR system, using nothing short of the highest grade lenses, including all kinds of accessories you can think of. He thought he had done it all, and believed he was on top of his game. However, he wasn’t quite satisfied yet. The next thing he asked was, “Now, what else can I do to improve my photography to the next level?” He thought he has reached the limitations of what Canon can offer, and the only way to get even better, was to get even more capable gear. The next moment, he went Full Frame. Then he researched about what the most expensive lens can offer. He soon got obsessed with the bokeh-liciousness of the F1.4 lens, the high ISO capability and dynamic range of the camera, and all the technicalities that make full frame superior.

While I do not deny the fact that with the range of top-end gears he had, it was indeed advantageous. His gears proved to be extremely capable and left many of his peers (including myself) drooling over it. However, when he showcase his photographs, all I heard from him was “Look at the bokeh of this shot, I don’t even need to shoot it wide open”, “look at how sharp this flower is, I don’t even need a tripod with the 3-stops image stabilization I have”, or “look how clean this shot was taken at ISO6400, you should really go for this camera”.

Oh my, I don’t even know what cameras Canon or Nikon is launching into the market now (I only learnt about the existence of Canon’s 5D MkIII when I saw photos posted on Facebook taken with it). And I can hardly name a full frame camera model from Nikon (I hardly used my DSLR nowadays anyway – more of that in my upcoming post). In any case, it is really saddening to hear these comments from a passionate photographer, a friend who has become so obsessed with technical perfection that a camera can offer, wows at the first sight of the bokeh, and shows off his high ISO photographs. Before we get too caught up with the world of technologies and megapixels, let us not forget to take a step back and examine what photography really is all about.

Photography is about making an image. The word “image” comes from the word “imagination”. It doesn’t come come from “bokeh”, “lens sharpness” or “noise levels”. Cameras don’t take pictures, photographers do. Cameras are just another artist’s tools. It is entirely an artist’s eye, patience and skill that make an image and not his tools. The best camera to me, is god-given… That is your eye (no disrespect to the visually challenged)… All cameras can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE… So before going anywhere forward, perfect your eyes before you perfect your gears…

Little India (Singapore)

BUT I JUST NEED THAT ‘ONE MORE LENS’

I used to be guilty of this as well. I thought “if only I had that new lens” then all my photographs would turn out to be what I want. Nope. I still want that “one more lens”, just that “one more”, and I’ve been shooting for many years now. There is always one more lens. Get over it… It is akin to a chef saying, “I need that one more high-grade non-stick pan so that my dish will turn out tastier”. The chef is the reason behind the tasty meal, not the stove nor the expensive pot and pan! Having an obsession with gear is unhealthy, very unhealthy, like a virus or disease. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing evil about having a lot of gear. However it becomes a problem when having so much gear paralyzes you from actually going out and taking photos. You will spend more time thinking about that ‘one more lens’ rather than going out to shoot. And worst of all, it becomes an excuse for not going out to shoot because you don’t have that ‘one more lens’, and you tell yourself “There is no way I can shoot today without that lens”. There are many people out there who have tons of gear but aren’t very good at taking photos, and others who aspire to become a better photographer and dream of buying new gear all-day long.

THE MOST IMPORTANT CAMERA

The most important camera you will ever own is the one you already have. I certainly understand the joy and thrill from using a new camera or lens, but ultimately you as a photographer are going to be judged by the images you make, not by the camera you have around your neck. Why is it that with over 60 years of improvements in cameras, lens sharpness, resolution and dynamic range that no one has been able to equal what Ansel Adams did back in the 1940s (He didn’t even have Photoshop)? And we forget that Henri Cartier-Bresson most probably used the same camera body for many years and maybe two lenses for his entire career, and he changed photography forever… (Mind you, he don’t even have auto-focus, auto-metering or long range zooms).

Everything from a simple oatmeal pinhole to a high-end full frame camera is a tool that has its strengths and challenges. As a photographer, it is our duty to work within the constraints, use whatever strengths and challenges there may be to our advantage, and create something beautiful in our own way.

THE UPGRADE

Having said that, I truly understand the occasional need to upgrade our cameras (unless you shoot film). There is no hiding the truth that digital cameras are essentially like computers, they get outdated faster than anything else. Upgrade your gear if you think there is something that you need in the new camera – I’m all for it. But upgrading for the sake of owning the newest and latest is unnecessary, and certainly not the way to go to improve your photography (I have seen people who upgrade every Canon Rebel models – from 500D to 550D to 600D… then to 50D and 60D series, but their photos did not improve a bit over the years). I have upgraded only once (from 40D to 5DMkII) ever since I started shooting, and sort of moved on to rangefinder. I have been shooting extensively on Leica rangefinder for quite a while now (both film and digital), not because of the prestige of the red badge, but it is a gear I find I can accustom perfectly to my style (usability, compactness, discreetness). Most of all it gives me the characteristic that I wanted out of my photograph (I’m not about to start a Leica debate here).

Marina Bay (Singapore)

THE PHOTOGRAPH…

All right, enough of the gear chitchats for now. Let’s throw that out of the way. I personally think that gear is just gear. The gear comparison and debate will go on and on with no end (go ask Canon and Nikon). I have seen too many gear comparisons such that it has become a fashion. And people flooding the streets with a humongous camera backpacks over-filled with lenses, lugging a huge camera and a long lens around their neck that shouts, “Look at me! I’m a photographer!” (I wonder how many of those lenses they actually used on a day out). I hope they are not missing the point of what these gears are supposed to do – To record moments in life that can never happen again…

What is most important to me is the result that I am getting from it. And the satisfaction I get during the process of making the photograph to the point where I hit the shutter button (That is why I am still shooting a lot using my trusted analog film rangefinder camera). Each and every single snap I take is “a special moment captured in time”. As what Ty Holland quoted “A photograph is the pause button on life”. I can smile, I can laugh, I can giggle, and I can shed a tear by looking at it. That is what a photograph is all about, isn’t it? And to be able to document and tell a story through photographs is a privilege. I love to capture un-posed moments, interpreting life around them and challenging our perceptions of the world.

STREET JOURNALISM AND ME

I have dabbled with various photography genres (such as landscape) before settling at what I like best and find most meaningful – Photojournalism, documentary and street photography. Street journalism is one way to capture the real natural moments of life. The pictures you take can bring out the emotions of society. Your photographs may include people doing mundane activities like working, eating or sleeping. Sure, you don’t take good street shots overnight. It takes a lot of learning, observation, studying works of established photographers, and most of all, lots and lots of practice. You need to develop your eyes to see things that ordinary people on the streets do not see. You need to bring out something special out of an ordinary everyday scene – Pictures such as a woman lost in her thoughts on a bus or a stolen kiss on a train. Most of all, your picture need to have a meaning behind it – The expression of a worker may reflect the hardship of the society. The picture has to mean something to you. Through this, street photography really opens up your eyes to the world. You find yourself caught up in the real world and the pictures will reflect the everyday life and the current moment of the society. When you are out shooting, think about what story you are trying to tell – and how your images express a bit of who you are.

Here’s a quote from Elliott Erwitt, a magnum photographer and one of my all-time inspiration:

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt

Little India (Singapore)

JUST GET OUT AND SHOOT!

Before I sign off, I just want to encourage anyone who has a passion for photography to JUST GET OUT AND SHOOT! There will always be something new to shoot everyday – anytime of the day, where ever you are. I am sure everyone at some point of time in your photography journey (myself included) have spent countless hours researching gear, looking forward to the next big launch or pining over cameras and lenses far out of our price range. But what does it all matter if you aren’t going to take that little machine and produce something with it. We all have a voice and an eye, and often something to say about the world. So don’t be afraid to make a photograph. I hope everyone will enjoy the photograph you make rather than enjoying your gears. Just get out and shoot!

I will end off here with inspirational quotes from Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908 – 2004), one of the greatest photographers of all time and considered to be the father of modern photojournalism. An early adopter of the 35mm format, and the master of candid photography, he helped develop the “street photography” or “life reportage” style that has influenced generations of photographers who followed. I also included some of my personal shots that I have taken in recent years in this post. I still enjoy them a lot. Keep shooting…

“There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative. Once you miss it, it is gone forever.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Battambang (Cambodia)

“Pictures, regardless of how they are created and recreated, are intended to be looked at. This brings to the forefront not the technology of imaging, which of course is important, but rather what we might call the eyenology (seeing).” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Yangon (Myanmar)

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson – From the book: “The Mind’s Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Istanbul (Turkey)

“For me, the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity“. – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Singapore City

“A photographer must always work with the greatest respect for his subject and in terms of his own point of view. That is my own personal attitude; consequently I have a marked prejudice against “arranged” photographs and contrived settings.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson -February 22, 1968., The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson by Henri Cartier-Bresson , ISBN: 0670786640

Battambang (Cambodia)

“Photography is an instantaneous operation, both sensory and intellectual – an expression of the world in visual terms, and also a perpetual quest and interrogation.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson – February 22, 1968., The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson by Henri Cartier-Bresson , ISBN: 0670786640

Little India (Singapore)

“For us the camera is a tool, the extension of our eye, not a pretty little mechanical toy. It is sufficient that we should feel at ease with the camera best adapted for our purpose. Adjustments of the camera – such as setting the aperture and the speed – should become reflexes, like changing gear in a car. The real problem is one of intelligence and sensitivity.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson – February 22, 1968., The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson by Henri Cartier-Bresson, ISBN: 0670786640

Istanbul (Turkey)

“A photographer’s eye is perpetually evaluating. A photographer can bring coincidence of line simply by moving his head a fraction of a millimeter. He can modify perspectives by a slight bending of the knees. By placing the camera closer to or farther from the subject, he draws a detail. But he composes a picture in very nearly the same amount of time it takes to click the shutter, at the speed of a reflex action.” – Henri Cartier Bresson

Varanasi (India)

“Photography, being dependent on reality, raises plastic problems which must be solved by the use of our eyes and by the adjustment of our camera. We keep changing our perspective in continual movement governed by rapid reflexes. We compose almost at the moment of pressing the shutter, moving through minutiae of space and time. Sometimes one remains motionless, waiting for something to happen; sometimes the situation is resolved and there is nothing to photograph.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson – February 22, 1968., The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson by Henri Cartier-Bresson , ISBN: 0670786640

]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/just-get-out-and-shoot-viewpoint-on-photograph-vs-gear/feed/4http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/just-get-out-and-shoot-viewpoint-on-photograph-vs-gear/NORTH VIETNAM IN ANALOGhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/X-hfV8Ssos4/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/north-vietnam-in-analog/#commentsMon, 18 Jun 2012 09:32:14 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1437As a continuation to my earlier post “Snap Shots from North Vietnam“, photographs in this post are all shot with my good old Leica M6 0.72 classic, coupled with the 35mm Summicron-M lens. As mentioned in my earlier post, I just wanted to travel light for this brief trip to North Vietnam, where I made stops over in the capital city – Hanoi, Sapa (within Lao Cai province), and the magnificent Halong Bay.

I brought with me a few rolls of Fujifilm Superia400 negatives – not a professional grade film though, but I simply love the colour and texture this film delivers. If you need something fast, with nice grain and pleasing colours, this one is for you (just my personal opinion). And very reasonably priced as well compared to the professional grades. Nonetheless, I did not really shoot much, rather spending more time soaking in the unique culture, tradition, lifestyle and the ever so colorful hill-tribe people of Sapa.

Shooting film on an analog camera really brought me to another dimension of photography. I use both digital and film cameras, and to me, they each serve a different purpose. Film and digital capture are completely different media. Throw the new-age dominant word ‘megaPIXEL’ out of the window when you use film. Forget about shooting on rapid burst mode (like what most people did on their DSLR – sound like a machine gun rattling off), in the hope that ‘one’ of these shots turns out what to be what you’re hoping for. I’m guilty of that too, but in film photography, I find myself thinking a lot more before my finger hits the shutter.

A lot of hard work is involved before you click. For my M6 set-up, you frame your shot moving forward and backwards (due to the fixed lens), you meter the scene manually (no aperture or shutter priority here!), you focus manually (no rapid auto-focus here!), and there’s no chance of you switching ISO (ASA in the case of film) as and when you like (till the next roll). And after going through all these hassle and finally hitting the shutter, you don’t get to see any result till you get your film processed. Then you crank the advance lever to prepare for the next shot. But hey, guess what – I love it! I find the joy and satisfaction in going through all these hassle before I hit the shutter. It makes you understand what photography is all about. I find satisfaction in every single shot I take (whether it turns out good or not). Most of all, the elusive result of the ‘film look’ at the end of the day simply gives me the allure of a photograph as “a special moment captured in time”.

I will sign off here with a series of shots taken during my brief trip to North Vietnam. This is my first post containing photographs taken on film with my Leica M6, and hopefully, more to come.

Arriving early morning in Lao Cai province, North Vietnam, after an overnight trip. Upon disembarking the train, I was instantly mesmerized by the tree on the left with beautiful striking red leaves. Coupled with the scene of the train, I knew I had to take this shot.

A visit to one of the hill-tribe village in Sapa, Lao Cai province in North Vietnam. Life is very simple yet beautiful in this village. Here, a mother with her little boy preparing the vegetables collected.

An old granny in traditional hill-tribe village costume sewing local handicrafts for sale in a local market.

BUFFALO AT WORK: The spectacular scenery in Sapa includes the famous rice terraces that spill down the mountains - a breathtaking view indeed. Here a villager with his buffalo plough the rice field. Cat Cat hill-tribe Village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam.

THE LONG WAIT: These group of hill-tribe villagers were waiting patiently for us to finish exploring the village school before touting us to buy a piece of their local souvenir in Cat Cat hill-tribe village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam. A portrait of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese Stalinist revolutionary leader can be spotted on the facade of the school building in the background.

A typical street of Sapa in Lao Cai province, North Vietnam. Buildings in Vietnam are recognized as slim and narrow, with numerous homes packed close together.

A community of around 1,600 people live on Halong Bay in four fishing villages. They live on floating houses and are sustained through fishing and marine aquaculture. Other than their primary activities, they are now also leveraging on the increasing influx of visitors by selling souvenirs and snacks on their small boats.

BY THE BEACH: A leisure afternoon by the beach on one of the many small islands on Halong Bay. With the increasing influx of visitors every year to this incredible World Heritage site, water and beach activities are being created as attractions.

Majestic and mysterious Halong Bay: The bay consists of a dense cluster of over 3,000 limestone monolithic islands each topped with thick jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the ocean. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hạ Long Bay was first listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, in recognition of its outstanding, universal aesthetic value. It took me quite a climb to reach the peak on one of the island, but the effort was well rewarded with a breathtaking view of the bay.

I decided to end off this post with an additional shot taken with a digital compact camera (Olympus XZ-1). Pardon me for this twist but I just wanted to show a picture taken from within one of the caves that I visited in Halong Bay. A beautiful sight indeed, with a light ray striking through an opening in the cave, which falls neatly on a unique rock resembling the goddess of mercy.

WITHIN THE CAVE: Beyond the breathtaking vistas on a boat cruise through the bay, visitors to Halong come to explore the caves – some of which are beautifully illuminated for the benefit of tourists. Shot taken with a digital compact camera. Shot hand-held at 1/5 sec at f8.

~Editorial & Photography by Loy Chuan (Jun, 2012)~

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]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/north-vietnam-in-analog/feed/5http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/north-vietnam-in-analog/SNAP SHOTS FROM NORTH VIETNAM – A BRIEF VISIThttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/Qp1RZMJ77j0/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/snap-shots-from-north-vietnam-a-brief-visit/#commentsFri, 08 Jun 2012 18:24:45 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1404After taking a couple of months off from my photography blog, I’m finally back to my photo journals again, at least for now. I have been itching to return and spend more time on where my passion truly is – photojournalism and documentary. It is difficult sometimes, having the need to juggle between passion and work, and sacrifices have to be made sometimes.

I spent the first quarter of 2012 engaged in other commitments till middle of May, where I made a brief trip to North Vietnam. It was a very welcome getaway for me – A trip that I really relished. It was just a very short trip though, and I did not even intent to set off as a photography expedition. All I wanted was to go out there, feel the place, soak in the environment, see the culture and people, and have some good time with a couple of my mates. I left home without my DSLR (5D MkII) – I’m sorry baby, but you’re just too heavy and I intent to travel really light for the trip. I packed in my Leica M9, my good old film Leica M6 classic (which I bought used earlier this year), together with a few rolls of Fujifilm Superia 400 and Neopan 400 (Black & White).

I did not really shoot much throughout the trip, which by my standard is a far cry compared to my other travels. North Vietnam is a destination that I had always wanted to visit. It is away from the more bustling and well-known Ho Chi Minh City. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. I made brief stop overs in Hanoi (capital city of Vietnam), followed by a short trip up North to Sapa (within the Lao Cai province), and finishing off with a visit to one of mother earth’s natural wonder – Halong Bay.

I guess Hanoi needs little introduction here – A city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. It is a city bustling with mass of motorbikes swarming through the tangled web of narrow streets. Everyone seems to be rushing somewhere. An overnight train ride to Lao Cai province was a welcome relieved. The train ride feels like a time machine taking me to the lost and forgotten world (The train ride was very comfortable though). Known as the ‘Queen of Mountains’, Sapa (situated in Lao Cai) sits regally overlooking a stunning valley, with lofty mountains towering over the town on all sides. The spectacular scenery includes the famous rice terraces that spill down the mountains – a breathtaking view indeed. The valleys and villages around Sapa are home to a host of hill-tribe people who wander in to town to buy, sell and trade. The ladies were all dressed up in their traditional tribe costume that is ever so bright and colorful. I also had the opportunity to spend an afternoon in Cat Cat Hill Tribe Village, where I experience a typical day of the villagers.

Presented here are a couple of random snap shots that I had taken during my brief visit to Hanoi and Lao Cai. This trip must have been a sneak preview for me. I am enticed to return to North Vietnam again, to really capture and document the essence of the place – the unique culture, tradition, lifestyle and the ever so colorful hill-tribe people of Sapa. See you again Viet Nam…

All photographs in this post taken with Leica M9 (with 50mm Summicron and 35mm Summicron ASPH).

HEADING HOME: Grocery lady at a market in Hanoi, Vietnam.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: A Day at the market by the streets, Hanoi, Vietnam

HAVE A BREAK: Workers taking a break after a delivery to the market. Hanoi, Vietnam

VIETNAM RAIL: At the Hanoi Train Station. This overnight train takes us from the capital city of Vietnam to Lao Cai province. A journey that covers about 306km and took approximately 8 hours. I must say that it was a rather comfortable ride though.

SHOPPING FOR RED CHILLIES: A traditional Sapa hill-tribe lady in the tribe costume shopping for groceries in the market, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

THE CURIOUS LOOK: The valleys and villages around Sapa are home to a host of hill-tribe people who wander in to town to buy, sell and trade. Here is a little girl in traditional hill-tribe costume. Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

GATHERING AT THE BUFFALO MARKET: A group of villagers gathering at the buffalo market situated at the top of a hill. This is the place where animals and live stocks are being sold and traded. Even puppies are not spared. Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER: A hill-tribe mum and daughter sharing a close moment at the buffalo market. Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

FUN WITH HELMET: Motorbikes are a common sight in Vietnam, even in the remote villages. Here in Sapa, motorbikes are used to transport live stocks and groceries to and from the market for trading. A little kid here getting bored and finding fun in exploring a motorbike helmet. Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES: Fancy some English lesson in a hill-tribe village in Sapa? Cat Cat hill-tribe village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

BUFFALO AT WORK: The spectacular scenery in Sapa includes the famous rice terraces that spill down the mountains - a breathtaking view indeed. Here a villager with his buffalo plough the rice field. Cat Cat hill-tribe Village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam.

THE LONG WAIT: These group of hill-tribe villagers were waiting patiently for us to finish exploring the village school before touting us to buy a piece of their local souvenirs. I simply love the sight of the naked tree blending into the misty clouds in the background. Cat Cat hill tribe village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

DAY DREAMING: A village boy day dreaming by the motorbike. I love the beautiful mountains as backdrop. Cat Cat hill tribe village, Sapa, Lao Cai, Vietnam.

]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/snap-shots-from-north-vietnam-a-brief-visit/feed/5http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/06/snap-shots-from-north-vietnam-a-brief-visit/WHEN THE LIGHT SHINES THROUGH – A perspective of Lighthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/ZDV4hJV1THQ/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/01/when-the-light-shines-through-a-perspective-of-light/#commentsThu, 05 Jan 2012 02:40:45 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1367Before I begin my very first post for 2012, I just like to wish everyone here a very happy New Year and I hope 2012 will be a good and enjoyable photography year for all.

Back to my blog, I decided to create this post as a result of my ever-increasing interest in natural lighting in photography. I always have an intense interest in studying the effects of light (and sometimes the resulting shadows). Understanding the behavior and characteristics of light is of paramount importance in the journey of photography. Light is regarded as the chief resource for any photographer, and many have constantly devote a lot of attention to the phenomenon of light and what it can do. Proper use of available light can help to create the mood I want for my pictures. Very often, they do amazing things to the photograph if used correctly. After all, photography means writing with light. From the relentless power of full sun to the beams that break through a canopy, this natural resource is right here for all of us to make use.

Recently, I consolidated a number of photographs taken in 2010/11 during my travels over Asia. A selection of the photographs is attached in this post. These are some associated photographs I considered to have achieved the mood that I wanted, simply by making use of available light to cast the attention on my subject. Most of the shots are taken indoor, where lighting condition is a huge challenge. I am constantly on the look out for beams of light that breaks through from the exterior. They usually tend to give a more dramatic and mysterious mood to the image. When light appears, a section of darkness fades away and true beauty shines through. I wish to capture this light and therefore the beauty within the scene. It is about the people, the look, and the spontaneous moments that we will never experience again.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia - At the corridor of the outer wall of the temple (near the entrance) stood a 3-meters tall statue of Vishnu carved from sandstone block. Beneath it is a collection box for donations, incense sticks, flowers, religious items and straw mattress for prayers. The corridor is relatively dim with only beams of light entering through the entrance and gaps from the stone windows. In the photograph above, local Cambodian kids entering the temple pay their respect and make donations. I took the shot when the two kids happen to stand within the ray of light while making donations. The smoke from the incense sticks gave a more dramatic mood and helped to enhance the ray of light.

Ta Phrom, Siem Reap, Cambodia - Ta Prohm was the temple chosen to be left in its ‘natural state’ as an example of how most of Angkor looked on its discovery in the 19th century. Near the entrance of the temple along the corridor, there is a little Buddha statue that sits adjacent to a window opening, allowing natural light from the exterior to cast a side lighting on it. The corridor is very dim and photographing inside is very challenging. This shot was taken when I caught a group of visitors walking passed the Buddha statue along the dim corridor. Shot handheld at 1.3 of a seconds.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia - Along the corridor of the inner wall of the temple stood many stone relics. Most of them had some parts of the body destroyed or missing. I spent a few hours wandering the long stone corridors and trying to capture the play of light with our lenses. The many window openings along the corridor allow natural light ray to brighten up the relics. The dark corridor also gave a mysterious mood to the photograph.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia - Shot taken along the corridor of the outer wall of Angkor Wat. Again, a beam of natural light from the exterior caught this elderly native Cambodian man (who seem to be residing at the temple) planting incense sticks. He was constantly encouraging people to light incense sticks and wishing them good luck. The smoke from the incense sticks gave a more dramatic mood and helped to enhance the ray of light.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia - The two walls (outer and inner) that wrapped around the temple are covered with panel after panel of carvings, displaying various important histories. There are thousands and thousands of figures, relics and stories with amazing details that lined up along the wall. I caught these two stone figures that stood in the way of a direct beam of sunlight, revealing the texture and the cobwebs that wrapped on the carvings.

The Killing Caves, Battambang, Cambodia - This is the cave where hundreds of people were tortured and murdered by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's. Inside the cave, the bones and skulls are collected and exhibited in a cage as a monument. I walked pass the point from which mainly children were thrown into the deep cave. Bone splinters from these events are still visible. I continued down a long flight of steps, which led me into another cave, where a sleeping Buddha statue laid. There was also a caretaker at the cave (seen in the picture above). When I set foot into the cave, I spotted 2 strong rays of natural light that sip through from the canopy of the trees above the caves. The two rays of light gave a very dramatic feel to the whole place, revealing the details on the cave wall.

Patan City, Nepal - Saw this rooster (which appear from no where) running up a small flight of steps into a small opening. The natural light from the external gave very good side lighting and shadows to the rooster. The entire place was extremely dark actually, other than the small rim of light, which beautifully lit up the rooster. I caught it just in time before the rooster disappeared to the outside. Photograph shot hand-held at 1/13 of a second.

Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal - After exploring the stupa and its surrounding monasteries for a while, I felt that the spinning of prayer wheels caught my attention very much and it was a very unique action, which symbolized the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. This shot was captured in one of the monasteries adjacent to the stupa. The room that housed the giant prayer wheel was dark, with only a window providing for lighting to the activities inside. But it was just enough to cast the right amount of light on the wheel as well as the devotee walking round it. Photograph shot hand-held at 1/13 of a second.

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar - The Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery (located a few kilometers north of Inle Lake, Shan State) is well known for its unique red painted, teakwood architecture. The monastery is an interesting structure on its own, with unique oval-shape windows, which serve as eye-catching frames when novice monks stand to look out. At the rear of the monastery is the living quarters populated by little novice monks who are there to seek the Buddha’s Order of Sangha (or monks). The living quarter is tidy and simple; with only natural light coming in through a few windows. It was enough to provide beautiful side lighting to a novice monk resting near the window and also show a glimpse of the environment.

Old village school, Ek Phnom District, Battambang, Cambodia - During the journey back to town after visiting Wat Ek Phnom, we passed by several local villages and made a stop at an old village school. This village school sits on a compound adjacent to the main road, which looked very much like a temple. Inside each classroom, wooden tables and chairs filled the dimly lit room that relied only on natural lighting. I caught a nice ray of light coming in from an opening near the ceiling of the classroom, coupled with the spontaneous look of this student (above).

Brick Kiln, Battambang, Cambodia - A bamboo train trip in Battambang took me to a little village at the end, with really just a few shacks selling drinks, some kids playing, and a couple kilns for brick making. Though simple, it provided a very good opportunity to photograph the locals at work in the kiln. It was extremely dim with natural light entering only from the small entrance and a ventilation opening at the top. The round ventilation opening allowed an excellent ray of light to enter, lighting up a worker perfectly who happen to be standing beneath it ready to receive a brick. Managed to catch this 'decisive moment' just in time.

~Editorial & Photography by Loy Chuan (Jan, 2012)~

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]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/01/when-the-light-shines-through-a-perspective-of-light/feed/10http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2012/01/when-the-light-shines-through-a-perspective-of-light/BEST OF STREETS 2011 (Travels)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/rdWxs_uC-VQ/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-travels/#commentsFri, 23 Dec 2011 04:15:07 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1272This series is a continuation from the earlier post, “BEST OF STREETS 2011 (Local Scene)“. In that post, I had shared some personal street images captured in my home country (Singapore) this year. Do check out the post if you have not visited it. Over here, I had devoted this page to some of my favorite street/documentary images captured during my travels this year. This includes places like Turkey, Nepal, India, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Shooting away from home is always a totally different experience for me. I had traveled to a few countries like India, Nepal, Myanmar, Cambodia and other Southeast Asia countries this year; and every country present different sets of challenges. I will not say that it is easier to shoot away from home or not. What really matters to me is that it really opened up my eyes to the world, and I learnt something new every time I set foot on another country. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I realized that I had spent a great amount of time shooting and exploring street journalism this year. It is the genre that I knew I love doing (and that is enough to keep me going) – to simply and honestly document the everyday life of society in its untainted state, or to capture a story or image that can bring out the emotions of society and the real natural moments of life. I do the same thing whether I am at home or in another country.

Although different countries view street photography in different ways, I feel that people usually react more similarly than dissimilarly when it comes to street photography. Whenever I get up-close and personal when shooting in another country, I always thought to myself, “This would never work in my country”. Shooting in another country sometimes gives you more courage and the “authority” to shoot – this makes you less hesitant to lift up your camera when the ‘decisive moment’ presents itself. You also become less conscious about how people look at you.

With 2011 drawing to an end, I just thought of sharing a couple of my personal favorite street/documentary photographs that I captured this year in my travels. I hope to have more opportunities to visit (or re-visit) more countries in the coming year (in 2012), and explore further into street journalism. The street is where my photography truly has its roots, and this passion for the random encounter and photojournalism continues to grow.

Do check out my other post, “Best of Streets 2011 (Local Scene)” for my other favorite street images captured in my home country this year. May 2012 be a great photography year for everyone. Enjoy and keep shooting…

]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-travels/feed/4http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-travels/BEST OF STREETS 2011 (Local Scene)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/1KsK60iigJA/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-local-scene/#respondThu, 22 Dec 2011 03:51:17 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1265With 2011 drawing to an end, I recently took a good look through my library of images that I had shot throughout the year. Many times when I look at my own images again, I learnt something new. Just like looking at the works of other photographers – we see the good and the bad. I had a good reflection of all my pictures; some being average and some which I really like. It is all part and parcel of photography. We keep shooting and learnt something new every time. Photography is a never-ending journey.

I realized that I had spent a great amount of time shooting and exploring street journalism this year. To be honest, it is not the ideal kind of genre that one will explore if you are seriously considering photography as a career – at least in my country. Nonetheless, it is the genre that I knew I love doing (and that is enough to keep me going) – to simply and honestly document the everyday life of society in its untainted state, or to capture a story or image that can bring out the emotions of society and the real natural moments of life. Many works of great photographers such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Elliot Erwitt, Sebastião Salgado and Alex Webb (amongst the other greats) had given me much inspiration. I studied their works in great details and leant something new every time I look at them.

That said, December was a rather busy month for me and I haven’t been shooting much recently. I just thought that maybe I should put up a couple of my personal favorite street/documentary photographs that I captured this year for sharing. The street is where my photography truly has its roots, and this passion for the random encounter and photojournalism continues to grow. The street is where I train and sharpen my skills. It is where my passion will be ignited. It is where I get better as an artist, and I plan to devote a lot of time in the coming year (2012) exploring further into street journalism. Also, I have been shooting a lot with my beloved rangefinder camera for a while now and I must say that it is a brilliant tool for what I am doing.

The photographs in this page are devoted to images captured in my home country (Singapore). Do check out my other post: “BEST OF STREETS 2011 (Travels)” for my other favorite images captured during my travels this year. May 2012 be a great photography year for everyone. Enjoy and keep shooting…

]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-local-scene/feed/0http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/12/best-of-streets-2011-local-scene/STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: MYANMAR IN MONOCHROMEhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/jcjO6jqdSz0/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/street-photography-myanmar-in-monochrome/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2011 08:56:20 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1209A visit to Myanmar is just like winding back the clock. When first I stepped into this time-warped country in Oct 2011, I felt I was being brought into the true authentic Asia where the adventure travel of old lives on. The sight of creaking buses packed with passengers to the brim, worn-out taxis and potholed roads greeted me. There were not a single sight of McDonald or 7-Eleven, and you can forget about the internet for a moment.

Some people still refer to Myanmar by its old name, Burma. This is a country that conjures up the romanticism of colonial days, the beauty of an ancient civilisation’s architectural legacy, and more recently, harsh oppression by a military regime. Out of the several countries that I had visited in South East Asia, Myanmar attracted the most interest from fellow travelers and locals alike. It has only recently opened up to the outside world after four decades of isolation, and there has been much talk on whether one should visit Myanmar or not. To me, these concerns are understandable but unnecessary.

During my stay in Myanmar, I managed to cover the highlights through the popular travel circuit of the country: Yangon (Rangoon), Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake (Shan State). In this collection, I seek to put together some selected images of street photography that I had captured in Myanmar. Documentary and street photography – being my favorite genres, have never escaped my mind. I am always consciously on the look out for unique frames that will reflect the honesty of everyday life in its untainted natural state. Most of the images are captured in Yangon, where opportunities for street photography present itself more than the other slower-paced provinces.

Myanmar is a country that fuels my emotions and stimulates my senses, and I hope to reflect it through some street photographs…

Through The Window (Yangon, Myanmar)

Looking Up (Yangon, Myanmar)

Resting and Working (Yangon, Myanmar)

Day dreaming (Yangon, Myanmar)

Some Food For Thought (Yangon, Myanmar)

The Fruit Seller (Yangon, Myanmar)

Walking Towards The Buddha (Ananda Temple, Bagan, Myanmar)

"I'll Be Watching Your Back" (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

Taking a Peep (Yangon, Myanmar)

Keep Rolling (Yangon, Myanmar)

Dreaming And Meditating (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

The Big Cigar (Bagan, Myanmar)

Keep Walking (Yangon, Myanmar)

Hiding Away (Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar)

The Morning Walk (Bagan, Myanmar)

I'm Dreaming Of You (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

The Odd One (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

Never Give Up (Yangon, Myanmar)

Bathing The Buddha (Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay, Myanmar)

Take A Break (Yangon, Myanmar)

Happy Moments (In Dein, Inle Lake, Myanmar)

Through The Lens (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

Under The Moonlight (Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar)

~Editorial & Photography by Loy Chuan (Nov, 2011)~

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]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/street-photography-myanmar-in-monochrome/feed/6http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/street-photography-myanmar-in-monochrome/BACK TO THE OLD SCHOOL – A Cambodia Village School in Photographshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/k1DH9Yufcqc/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/back-to-the-old-school-a-cambodia-village-school-in-photographs/#commentsMon, 14 Nov 2011 16:55:28 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1182Wat Ek Phnom is an atmospheric, partly collapsed, 11th-century temple situated 11km north of Battambang Town in Cambodia. During the journey back to town after visiting the temple, we passed by several local villages and made a few stops along the way to take some pictures, including an old village school (situated in Ek Phnom District – near Pheam Ek Village). This village school sits on a compound adjacent to the main road. It looked very much like a temple (I mistook it as a monastery initially), with a very odd ceramic zoo in its grounds. The old school was interesting enough to entice me to spend some time photographing the life there. It was all unplanned for, and it turned out to be an extremely pleasant experience.

Like most schools in Cambodia, the well-worn buildings have very little facilities and are hindered by leaky ceilings, crumbling desks, and crowded classrooms. The school is nothing more than a row of single-storey long-house consisting of classrooms adjacent to one another. Inside each classroom, wooden tables and chairs filled the dimly lit room that relied only on natural lighting. The walls were covered with an old coat of cyan paint, which seem to be peeling off. Many bicycles (that belong to the more fortunate students) are parked right outside the classrooms, filling up the long stretch of corridor. It happened to be the recess time during my visit to the school, and the kids were having fun chasing each other in and out of the classrooms. Some were playing games in the open compound outside the classrooms, while some stayed indoors to finish up their homework.

Time seem to wind-back at the old school. Having come from a developed country myself, a walk around the school seem to bring back time. I wandered in and out of the classrooms as well, trying to capture the kids in their most natural self. Most of the kids I approached in the school do not mind their photos being taken. I also wanted to capture the essence of the old school building, which had left a very strong impression on me. At the end of the recess time, all the kids rushed back into the classroom when a group of local teachers arrived. It was time to go and I bid goodbye to the old school…

Day Dreaming...

The Band Of Brothers...

Inside The Classroom...

The Curious Look...

My Favorite Bicycles...

Finishing Up My Homework...

Through The Window...

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother...

The Blank Stare...

Recess Time...

~Editorial & Photography by Loy Chuan (Nov, 2011)~

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]]>http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/back-to-the-old-school-a-cambodia-village-school-in-photographs/feed/4http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/back-to-the-old-school-a-cambodia-village-school-in-photographs/IT’S A NOVICES’ WORLD – Images From The South-Easthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LoychuanPhotographyBlog/~3/c2gWn35Gf78/
http://www.loychuan-photography.com/2011/11/its-a-novices-world-images-from-the-south-east/#commentsTue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:44 +0000http://www.loychuan-photography.com/?p=1140Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Cambodia are two countries in Southeast-Asia with one of the largest proportion of Buddhist in the world. Buddhism in Myanmar and Cambodia is predominantly of the Theravada tradition, practised by about 89% of the country’s population in Myanmar and more than 90% in Cambodia. They are also two of the most religious Buddhist countries in the world.

With such a high proportion of the countries’ population adhering to the Theravada Buddhism, it is not surprising that you come across monks and nuns on regular basis in Myanmar and Cambodia. They are difficult to miss – usually wrap in their dark red robes which are ever so photogenic. However, during my time in Myanmar, what really catches my attention are the novices (or koyins).

A novice is a Buddhist boy usually between the age of 7 and 13 who enter the monastery (kyaung) to seek the Buddha’s Order of Sangha (or monks). It is obligatory for a Buddhist boy in these countries to become a novice at least once in his life time and to remain as such for a few days to a few months. Previously, it is common for a boy to spend at least three months as novice. However, such a practice would mean the loss of one year or missing of one’s class promotion. Present day parents have, therefore, to be content with sending their boys to monasteries for only a few days during school holidays. The fresh novices have to stay in the monastery under the care of the residing monks, following every set of rules, studying Buddhist scriptures and making the most of their stay there.

Myanmar people regard their lives to be incomplete if they themselves, or their sons, have not been novices. A Buddhist who has not been a novice or donned the orange robe is looked upon as one who has missed the most essential privilege of his existence in this world. Some novices, after acquiring what is considered to be sufficient education for the secular world, leave the monasteries, while others, become attached to the simple religious life, and stay on in the orange robe to become ordained priest at the tender age of 19.

In this short project, I seek to put together a collection of images featuring the novices from Myanmar and Cambodia. Like any other kids at their age, these novices love having fun, playing with toys and games, enjoy candies and always spotting a joyful smile on their face. They approach everyone with an open mind, and are mostly not shy to get into touch. With such youthful and joyful nature, it is hard to resist photographing and documenting these novices in their photogenic ropes.

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.” ~Buddha~

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

“Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“Unity can only be manifested by the Binary. Unity itself and the idea of Unity are already two.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance.” ~Buddha~

Kyauk Se, Mandalay, Myanmar

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” ~Buddha~

Kyauk Se, Mandalay, Myanmar

“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” ~Buddha~

Wat Ek Phnom, Battambang, Cambodia

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.” ~Buddha~

Shwe Yan Pyay Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“What we think, we become.” ~Buddha~

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake, Myanmar

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.” ~Buddha~

Wat Bovil, Battambang, Cambodia

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.” ~Buddha~